at the University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business
In celebration of Film Training Manitoba (FTM)’s 25th Anniversary, the organization carried out the Manitoba REEL Careers Campaign in March 2025. This first-of-its-kind career development program was conducted with over a dozen Manitoba-based film industry professionals, which included senior staff from Manitoba production companies such as Farpoint Films, Eagle Vision, Thundersnow Pictures, and Enjoy Creative as well as members of ACTRA-MB, DGC-MDC, and IATSE 856.
The large collection of film industry development sessions included multiple coaching panels and one-on-one training to promote career pathways within Manitoba’s film industry.
“FTM’s on-campus access and partnerships with Manitoba post-secondaries during the REEL Careers Campaign was unprecedented for our industry. The attendance and engagement helped encourage over 270 young Manitobans toward careers within our film industry.” Said FTM’s chairperson and owner of Precursor Productions Andrew Yankiwski.
According to a report from the CBC on August 4, 2024, “the estimated production volume in Manitoba for 2024 was a record-breaking $434.9 million between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31”. With the growth of film production in Manitoba, FTM launched the Manitoba REEL Careers 2025 Campaign to help attract more workers to Manitoba’s burgeoning film industry.
FTM is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s sector council program and is a non-for-profit charity. The organization’s goal is to develop a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to support the activities of Manitoba’s film industry. FTM partners with Manitoba’s secondary and post-secondary schools, Manitoba film festivals, unions, production companies, associations, and a variety of industry stakeholders. FTM collaborates with members of the film industry to identify the training needs within the community. With this information, the organization offers practical, skill-based training that is targeted where labour gaps occur.
“Much like FTM’s cutting-edge Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades Conference and our Manitoba Film Master Series, the Manitoba REEL Careers Campaign is a highly innovative program that leaned into FTM’s strength and value as a non-for-profit charity.” Said Allison Bile, FTM’s Director of Workforce Development, SWIFT and Operations.
Among the post-secondary schools that received customized on-campus training sessions during the REEL Careers 2025 Campaign included Red River College Polytechnic’s Digital Media Program, Assiniboine College in Brandon, the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business, and the University of Winnipeg’s Finance and Economics Students’ Association.
The University of Winnipeg’s training session featured a collection of UW alumni including Rebecca Gibson (Co-Owner of Eagle Vision, Producer, Writer, Director, Series Creator and Showrunner), Trevor Hnatowich (Co-Owner of Enjoy Creative), Tom Soares (Instructor and Actor), and Myron Tataryn (Co-Owner of Thundersnow Pictures Inc and Director) and was moderated by Emily Labby (FTM’s Training and Partnerships Manager)and had 93 students in attendance.
“The film industry is very exciting for students and others to learn about and we’ve really enjoyed collaborating with Film Training Manitoba on this important session.” Said Economics Students’ Association President Alvin Grospe.
The Manitoba REEL Careers 2025 Campaign also had programming held at Assiniboine College (AC) in Brandon, Manitoba. The special training session included a hands-on masterclass on lighting and cinematography and then full one-on-one coaching sessions with industry veteran Production Manager Aaron W. Graham for all the students that attend AC’s Centre for Creative Media.
A session held at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) during the Manitoba REEL Careers 2025 Campaignhad theunique distinction of being the first public panel featuring the current presidents of the three Manitoba-based film unions. This included the President of Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Manitoba’s Alan Wong; Directors Guild of Canada – Manitoba District Council’s Cathie Edger; and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees 856 (IATSE)’s Terence Fuller.
“Since participating in FTM’s REEL Careers speaker session in late March at MITT, I have already heard from five of the students asking about the process of starting in film.” Said Cathie Edger.
and Cathie Edgar (President of Directors Guild of Canada – Manitoba District Council)
Joining the film union presidents at MITT were three other film industry professionals: Brenda Magalas (Makeup Department Head), Kerri Webster (2nd Assistant Director) and FTM’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk, who moderated the session. The panel was introduced by MITT’s Vice President of Business Development and Community Initiatives Beverlie Stuart.
The Manitoba REEL Careers Campaign concluded on March 27with a one-on-one moderated panel session between Farpoint Films CEO Kyle Bornais and FTM’s Adam Smoluk. The session was held at the University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business in partnership with Asper’s Career Development Centre.
Farpoint Films is an award-winning film, television and digital media production company based in Winnipeg. Farpoint utilizes in-house production and post-production facilities to handcraft inspiring and creative storytelling. Bornais, who is a UM alumnus, shared his extensive business experience within Manitoba’s film industry with a group of Asper business students. Bornais spoke of the need for more professionals with business skills to enter and advance in the film industry. “FTM’s REEL Careers Campaign provided my company, Farpoint Films, with direct connections to business students at the Asper Centre. This was an ideal forum to share experiences and business intel with students and faculty.” Said Bornais. “I’m looking forward to participating with more FTM programs like this in the future.” He added.
FTM received 163 participant evaluations from FTM’s REEL Careers Campaign attendees, with 86 per cent of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing that the sessions were relevant to their current or future jobs or careers.
For further information please contact:
Jenna Paterson-Coutts
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Film Training Manitoba
204 – 245 McDermot Ave
jenna@filmtraining.mb.ca
204-989-9669 Ext.3